Your wedding invitations do more than just share the details of your wedding day to your guests, they set the tone for the entire celebration! Whether your style is classic, modern, or something totally unique, making sure your invitations align with the overall aesthetic of your wedding is key. As wedding planners, we’ve seen (and helped design!) all kinds of invitation suites. In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know to make sure your invites are both stunning and informative.

Photographer: Haley Birdsey

What to Include on Your Wedding Invitations

Your wedding invitations should give guests all the essential details in a clear and stylish way. Here’s what you absolutely need to include:

Your Names - Your full names should be clearly displayed on the invitation so there’s no confusion about who’s getting married! This is the most important detail, so it should be front and center. If you’re incorporating a monogram or initials, make sure your full names are still included somewhere on the invitation.
Date & Time - Be very specific with the date and time to avoid any confusion. Include the day of the week, the month, and the year. If there are any time zone considerations (for destination weddings or if your guests are traveling), make that clear as well.
Venue Name & Address - Make sure to include the full venue name and its exact address. This ensures your guests know where the wedding is taking place, including the building name or complex if there are multiple venues at one location. If the location is hard to find, consider adding a note or link to your wedding website for more detailed directions.
Dress Code - Be clear about the expected dress code, whether it’s black tie, cocktail attire, casual, or a specific theme. Providing this information helps guests feel confident and comfortable knowing what’s expected of them.
RSVP Info - Include a clear RSVP deadline, ideally 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This gives you enough time to finalize details like catering and seating arrangements. Make sure you specify how guests should respond, whether that’s via a traditional RSVP card, email, or your wedding website. If you're using a wedding website, make sure the URL is easy to find.
Wedding Website (if you have one) - If you have a wedding website, include the URL so guests can easily access additional information. This is where you can share details like hotel accommodations, travel info, the wedding registry, and answers to frequently asked questions. It’s a great way to keep your invitations streamlined while providing guests with all the details they may need in one place.

Photographer: Dani Keane

What NOT to Include on Your Wedding Invitation

While you want to be thorough, there are a few things best left off the invitation:

Registry Info - It’s considered poor etiquette to include gift details directly on your invitation. Instead, share your registry information on your wedding website. This allows your guests to find it easily without feeling pressured, and it keeps your invitation focused on only the wedding day itself.
Too Much Text - While you might be excited to share every detail, keep your invitation design clean and readable. Stick to the essential details: date, time, venue, and RSVP information, and avoid long paragraphs or excessive information. The goal is to make the invitation visually appealing and easy to digest at a glance.
Directions - If your wedding venue is easy to find or well-known, simply listing the venue address is enough. If the location is a bit tricky to find or if you’re hosting the event at a remote location, consider providing directions on the details card or linking detailed directions on your wedding website. This keeps your invitation from feeling cluttered.

Photographer: M Visuals

When to Send Your Wedding Invitations

Timing is everything! Follow this timeline to ensure guests have plenty of time to plan:

Formal Invitations - It's recommended to mail your invitations 10-12 weeks before your wedding date. This gives your guests ample time to plan and respond while ensuring your event details are fresh in their minds.
RSVP Deadline - Set your RSVP deadline for 4-6 weeks before the wedding. This allows you to finalize your guest count, communicate with your vendors, and make any necessary adjustments to seating or catering in a timely manner.

Photographer: Austin Martin

What’s Included in a Traditional Invitation Suite

A traditional invitation suite usually includes a few key pieces that help guide your guests and set the tone for your big day:

The Invitation - This is the star of the show! It includes all the essential info like your names, wedding date, time, and location.
Details Card - Totally optional, but super helpful. This is where you share important extras like the dress code, parking info, hotel blocks, or your wedding website. Basically, include anything that would break your heart if your guests missed it!
RSVP Card - You can go old-school with a mail-in card or opt for a digital RSVP. Digital options are cost efficient and easy to track. Pro tip: if you’re using a QR code, be sure to include the full URL too, just in case the QR code does not work properly!

Ways to Elevate Your Suite

Want to make your invites stand out and feel extra special? Add one (or a few!) of these pretty details:

Wax seal
Envelope liner
Vellum wrap
Ribbon
Custom wedding monogram or crest
Calligraphy addressing

These simple touches can bring a little luxury and personality to your suite and make opening your invite feel like unwrapping a gift!

Photographer: Linden Bloom

Other Important Invitation Tips

Order Extra - It’s always a good idea to order a few extra invitations. These can be used as keepsakes, for last-minute additions to your guest list, or in case there are any mailing errors. Ordering extra ensures you won’t be caught off guard if something goes wrong during the mailing process.
Proofread Carefully - Double and even triple-check every detail before sending your invitations to the printer. This includes names, dates, times, addresses, and any other critical information. Have a second set of eyes look over the design as well to catch any errors you might have missed. A small mistake can lead to confusion or missed details on your wedding day.
Don’t Forget Postage - Wedding invitations, especially those with multiple inserts or thicker cardstock, often require more postage than regular mail. Be sure to take your invitation to the post office and have it weighed to ensure you’re applying the correct amount of postage. This prevents your invitations from being returned or delayed.
Send a Test Mail - Before mailing out all your invitations, send one to yourself first. This will give you a chance to see how it arrives, check for any damage during transit, and ensure it meets your expectations in terms of presentation. It’s also a good way to verify that the postage and address are correct.

Your wedding invitations are just a glimpse of what your guests can expect on your special day, so make them count! And if you're still in the early stages of planning, check out our blog post, “Save-the-Dates 101: Everything You Need to Know,” for tips on what to include on your save-the-dates. By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure that your wedding invitations are both stylish and functional!

Wedding Invitation 101: Everything You Need to Know